February 22, 2011 03:58 AM UTC

GLBT Lobby Day - GOP Hides on the Floor

•  
• by: IndyNinja

(But a few didn’t, as explained below – promoted by Colorado Pols)

Over a hundred GLBT citizens as well as dozens of people like me who described ourselves as “straight allies of the movement” spent time in the capitol talking primarily about SB11-172 (which would allow same-sex civil unions) with our representatives.

Well, we talked to some of them, anyway.

See, people are allowed to move around the capitol freely for the most part, but they are not allowed on the floor of the House and Senate. So that’s where Republicans stayed to avoid having to face their constituents demanding equal rights.

Two Republicans, Reps. Swerdferger and Scott, were willing to leave the bunker and talk to people, but the rest stayed safely hidden from the scary public opinion.

Some good news came about today, however. Republican Representative Priola has been added to the list of the bill’s supporters (according to the organizers of the event). This is especially significnt because Rep. Priola is the Speaker Pro Tem (sort of like a vice president) of the House and is a respected and established member of the House GOP.

Rep. Priola told the DP back in December that he favored civil unions but would not commit to a vote until he saw the actual bill.

Republican Kathleen Conti has also said she will vote for the bill.